Area boards

Useful links

What is an area board?

The area boards are a way of working to bring local decision making back into the heart of the community. Area Boards are not like old fashioned council meetings and there are lots of opportunities for local people to get involved. Meetings take place locally once every 8 weeks and between meetings task groups consisting of local people, Wiltshire Council staff and councillors tackle local issues and find solutions to take forward at the next area board.

A key role of the area boards is to provide grants to community groups and youth funding in partnership with the local youth networks. Local Community Engagement Managers (CEM's) facilitate and enable closer working between the council, the community and area boards.

Community Engagement Manager

Area board community grants

If you are looking to fund a community project in 2017/18, you may be eligable for a community grant. Those who can apply include community or voluntary groups, community enthusiasts and town or parish councils.

Community funding is available to help provide facilities, equipment and projects that are important to the local community. Projects that meet the local priorities
discussed at Area board meetings will be a priority for funding.

Can town and parish councils apply for a grant?

Town and parish councils are encouraged to promote local
community projects and support applications for funding. The area board will
only consider applications from town and parish councils where the project
cannot reasonably be funded from their parish precept.

What is the application process?

Applications will be considered at each area board meeting. For details of the next meeting please follow the links under 'Area board meeting dates'.

When you have submitted your application, the Community Engagement Manager (CEM) will review it. If there is anything wrong or missing from the application, the CEM will explain and send the application back for revision.

Once we receive your grant we will email you to let you know when your application will be heard. You will be required to attend this meeting and introduce your grant. You will not be expected to do a presentation.

Although in most cases you will find out on the night, we will email you to let you know whether your application was successful or not. If your application is approved, we will email you to arrange payment and seek agreement to the terms and conditions.

How can I apply?

All applications must be
completed online. If you need computer support to help you to complete the form
please call Customer Services on 0300 456 0100 and ask to be paired with a
Digital Champion from the Wiltshire Online service.

The area boards are committed to providing revenue grant funding for those wishing to provide postive activities for 13-19 year olds and those aged up to 25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Projects delivered in the past include arts, music, sports, leisure and other after school activities where young people can make friends in a fun and safe environment.

What is the application process?

Applications will be first considered by the Local Youth Network (LYN), comprising of young people and supporting members such as the Local Youth Facilitator (LYF) and councillors. Decisions made by the LYN are ratified by councillors at each area board meeting. For details of the next meeting please follow the links under 'Area board meeting dates'.

When you have submitted your application, the Local Youth Facilitator will review it. If there is anything wrong or missing from the application, the LYF will explain and send the application back for revision.

Once we receive your grant we will email you to let you know when your application will be heard. Although in most cases you will find out on the night, we will email you to let you know whether your application was successful or not. If your application is approved, we will email you to arrange payment and seek agreement to the terms and conditions.

How can I apply?

All applications must be completed online. If you need computer support to help you to complete the form please call Customer Services on 0300 456 0100 and ask to be paired with a Digital Champion from the Wiltshire Online service.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

CATG’s are sub-groups of the
area boards that aim to find solutions for local issues such as road repairs,
traffic problems, road layouts and parking. Each group has about 10 members including
area board members, town and parish council members and community
representatives. The meetings are also attended by relevant officers from
Wiltshire council including a senior transport planner, a senior traffic
engineer and a local highway maintenance engineer as necessary. Their key
purpose is to offer advice and support to the group but they do not vote on the
issues raised. The CATG may also invite representatives from local
organisations to its meetings to give technical advice or to share local
knowledge.

The amount allocated is dependent on the
geographical size and population for each community area with the typical
allocation in 2012-13 being approximately £14,000 per group. The funding allocation
is for capital expenditure and can only be used to provide new and improved highway
infrastructure. the funding is suitable for small scale schemes that improve safety,
increase accessibility and sustainability by promoting walking; cycling and
public transport and improving traffic management. It cannot be used to fund
revenue functions such as maintenance schemes or the provision of passenger
transport services.

To raise an issue, please click the link and select the most suitable classification. If you're issue does not fall within any of these classifications, please click the link in bold at the bottom of the list.

Community Area Partnerships

Wiltshire council is committed to delivering services in a more community focussed way that relates more directly to the needs and aspirations of local people.

As part of this commitment, the council is working with independent and autonomous Community Area Partnerships (CAPs) that are inclusive of and accountable to the wider community.

In order to ensure a standard of consistency across the County, CAPs have signed up to a set of minimum operating standards, developed by the Wiltshire Forum of Community Area Partnerships (WFCAP). Please not that the following areas in Wiltshire don’t have community area partnerships; Amesbury, Downton, Mere and Wootton Bassett & Cricklade.

In addition, Wiltshire council and Community Area Partnerships have developed an agreement about the way they will work together. Details of both

Our Community Matters

The Our Community Matters sites aim to strengthen local communities in Wiltshire by making it easier for local people and groups to talk to one another online.

Users can use these virtual noticeboards to find about local news, local debates, events and volunteering. Users are also welcome to register as a contributor to connect with their communities through posts and comments or advertise community events and volunteer opportunities.